Reduce chemical fertilizers on arable land, save future generations

The same cultivated land that has been yielding crops for centuries is now becoming infertile. Nutrient levels in the soil are declining due to reduced use of organic fertilizers and increased reliance on chemical fertilizers. The excessive use of chemical fertilizers is leading to a looming uncertainty for future generations. Recent research in Bangladesh has revealed that nearly 80% of agricultural land has experienced a decline in organic matter, necessitating additional use of chemical fertilizers to maintain crop production.

Recently, a research titled "Soil Fertility Trends in Bangladesh 2010 to 2020" analyzed the levels of phosphorus, sulfur, potassium, boron, and zinc in the soil. Researchers compared data from 2010 to 2020 to assess trends during this period. The analysis revealed an abnormal increase in areas with deficiencies of various nutrients in the soil over the past 10 years. This information was reported in the media yesterday (April 6). According to this research, in most agricultural lands in the country, organic nutrient content has fallen below even 2% whereas it is necessary to maintain at least 5% organic nutrients in arable land.

Experts are stating that the excessive use of fertilizers to compensate for soil nutrient deficiencies is resulting in increased farming costs and having severe health and environmental impacts. If nitrogen seeps into groundwater, it can pose serious health risks to humans, including an increased risk of infant mortality. Additionally, excessive phosphorus application can lead to contamination of water bodies during rainfall or flooding, resulting in the death of fish and other aquatic organisms. Moreover, excessive boron usage can pose risks to children's health. Therefore, farmers need to be conscious of using fertilizers in limited quantities.

Over the past three to four decades, research on agricultural land degradation has been ongoing. It is observed that with each decade, the nutrient content of the soil is decreasing. In the decade from 2010 to 2020, there has been a noticeable decline in sulfur, potassium, phosphorus, zinc, and boron in the soil. To compensate for these deficiencies, farmers are using large quantities of chemical fertilizers. These fertilizers are leaching into water bodies such as rivers and seas, resulting in environmental degradation and endangering various ecosystems.

Reducing the use of chemical fertilizers and increasing the use of organic fertilizers is the only way to increase soil fertility. However, various factors are leading to a decrease in organic matter in the soil. As a result, the diverse microbial life in the soil is declining, affecting all life cycles negatively. Another reason is the construction of dams on rivers, which prevents flooding and the natural replenishment of soil. Consequently, river water cannot flow onto agricultural land, leading to a lack of sediment deposition and the formation of new soil. On the other hand, repeated cultivation of the same land causes soil erosion in the upper layers. Acknowledging these realities, farmers are compelled to rely more on chemical fertilizers to meet the growing demand for food due to the burgeoning population.

The current scenario suggests that as the use of chemical fertilizers increases, soil fertility decreases. How long will it persist? This trend, if left unchecked, poses a significant threat to future generations. To get rid of this, there is no way without the awareness of all concerned including the government.